US20010049855A1

US20010049855A1 - Multipurpose tool for cleaning machines

Info

Publication number: US20010049855A1
Application number: US09/796,546
Authority: US
Inventors: Michele Massaro
Original assignee: Lindhaus Srl
Current assignee: Lindhaus Srl
Priority date: 2000-03-30
Filing date: 2001-03-02
Publication date: 2001-12-13
Also published as: GB2360695A; IT249381Y1; ITPD20000026U1; GB0106583D0; DE10111214A1

Abstract

A multipurpose tool for cleaning machines, comprising a box-like body which is interchangeably associable with a cleaning machine adequately provided with a power outlet and is movable on wheels; a front advancement part of the body is arranged transversely to a main direction of movement, so as to form a housing which accommodates a roller which is provided with bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor which is accommodated within the body. The body is articulated to a connecting element adapted to provide a detachable connection to the machine with a dirt suction duct. The bristle-fitted roller is replaceable, and an inlet of the suction duct can be opened and closed by way of the presence of a passage flow control flap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multipurpose tool for cleaning machines.

The tool is particularly suitable for electric brooms and carpet cleaners with one or two motors.

Cleaning products for carpets, fitted carpets and the like, while being very effective in cleaning, must be distributed appropriately, since simply spreading them does not allow them to penetrate deeply within the pile.

In order to adequately distribute such products, tools have been produced which are substantially composed of a box-like body being movable on wheels and whose front advancement part lies transversely to the main direction of movement so as to form a housing which rotatably accommodates a distribution roller which bears bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor which is accommodated within said body.

The body is articulated to a connecting element adapted to provide a detachable connection to the cleaning machine.

Means are provided for electrically connecting to the mains the electric motor of machines normally provided with two rollers which rotate in mutually opposite directions and propel said cleaning products deeply.

Tools suitable only for removing dust are also known; they are constituted by a box-like body which is movable on wheels and whose front advancement part lies transversely to the main direction of movement so as to form a housing which rotatably accommodates a brushing roller which bears bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor which is accommodated within the body.

The body is articulated to a connecting element which is adapted to provide a detachable connection to the cleaning machine by means of a duct for aspirating the dirt removed by the roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a tool which, by way of simple and quick operations, can be converted from a tool for removing dust and dirt to a tool which allows to distribute cleaning products for fitted carpets, carpets or the like.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a tool which is simple to use even for non-specialized users.

Another important object of the invention is to reduce the number of accessories for cleaning machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool which produces effective distribution of the cleaning products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can be manufactured with known technologies.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a multipurpose tool for cleaning machines which comprises a box-like body which is interchangeably associable with a Cleaning machine provided with a power outlet and is movable on wheels, a front advancement part of said body being arranged transversely to a main direction of movement, so as to form a housing which accommodates a replaceable roller which is provided with bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor which is accommodated within the body, said body being articulated to a connecting element adapted to provide a detachable connection to the machine with a dirt suction duct, characterized in that an inlet of said suction duct can be opened and closed by way of a passage flow control flap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0015]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to the invention; [0016]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an opening/closure flap which is comprised within the tool of FIG. 1; [0018]
FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side view of the tool of FIG. 1 in the configuration which is suitable for dirt suction; [0019]
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tool in the configuration of FIG. 4; [0020]
FIG. 6 is a partially sectional side view of the tool of FIG. 1 in the configuration suitable for washing; [0021]
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tool in the configuration of FIG. 6; [0022]
FIG. 8 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of the tool.[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. [0024] 1 to 8, a tool according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
The [0025] tool 10 is interchangeably associable with a cleaning machine, for is example a vacuum cleaner, not shown, which is adequately provided with a power outlet.
The [0026] tool 10 further comprises a box-like body 11, which in this case is made of plastics; the body is movable on four wheels 12 which are arranged in pairs and whose front advancement part lies transversely to the main movement direction so as to form a housing 13 which is wider than the remaining box-like body 11 and accommodates a roller 14 fitted with bristles.
The [0027] roller 14 is moved, by way of transmission means described hereinafter, by an electric motor 30, schematically shown in the figures, accommodated in the box-like body 11.
The box-[0028] like body 11 is articulated to a connecting element 15, which is adapted to provide the detachable connection to the cleaning machine and includes mains connection means for the electric motor, which in this case are constituted by a plug, not shown in the figures.
The [0029] connecting element 15 has, in this case, a tubular cavity 17 which leads to the region of the roller 14, is adapted to be associated with the tubular stem of the machine and constitutes a suction duct.
In this embodiment, the [0030] roller 14 comprises two sets of bristles 19 which are arranged in a pattern which converges at the center.
The above-cited transmission means, in this case, comprise a [0031] toothed belt 20 which meshes with a toothed pulley, not shown in the figures, which is associated the said electric motor 30 and with a toothed pulley 21 which is rotatably coupled to the body 11 and is associated with the roller 14.
The pulley has an axial recess, for example a splined one, in which it is possible to insert and remove a complementarily shaped pivot-[0032] like end 22 of the roller 14, which can be removed completely by axial translation movement after extracting a partition 23 which is inserted in C-shaped guides 24 in the opposite part of the body 11 and includes an other recess for another pivot-like end 25 of the roller 14.
According to the invention, the [0033] body 11 contains a seat 26 for the sliding of a flap 27 which is movable between a position in which it closes transversely the inlet of the cavity 17 and a position in which it completely clears said inlet.
The [0034] flap 27 has a tab 27 a which protrudes from the body 11 in order to allow its actuation.
With the [0035] roller 14, it is convenient that the cavity 17 be free in order to allow to aspirate the removed dirt.
With particular reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the figures show the [0036] tool 10 in the configuration for distributing moist cleaning microsponges with the machine acting as a carpet cleaner.
The [0037] roller 14 is replaced by a bristle-fitted distribution roller 28 whose bristles are arranged in a fishbone arrangement, and the flap 27 is arranged so as to close the inlet of the cavity 17, so as to prevent any loss of microsponges.
In practice, it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects. [0038]
It should in fact be noted that the tool according to the invention can be easily associated with a cleaning machine (for example a vacuum cleaner), which is only required to have a power outlet in order to use it in two modes: a brushing and dry-cleaning mode, and a wet-cleaning mode using microsponges. [0039]
In this manner, the user can purchase a cleaning machine which allows him to perform multiple operations, with considerable savings in terms of purchase and maintenance costs and great advantages in terms of storage space saving. [0040]
The tool according to the invention combines with the above-noted features a high operating efficiency and great adaptability to various application requirements by way of its structural flexibility and its adjustments. [0041]
The present invention is susceptible of modifications and variations within the scope of the inventive concept; the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. [0042]
The materials and the dimensions may be any according to requirements. [0043]
The disclosures in Italian Utility Model Application No. PD2000U000026 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. [0044]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose tool for cleaning machines, comprising a box-like body which is interchangeably associable with a cleaning machine provided with a power outlet and is movable on wheels, a front advancement part of said body being arranged transversely to a main direction of movement, so as to form a housing which accommodates a replaceable roller which is provided with bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor accommodated within the body, said body being articulated to a connecting element which is adapted to provide a detachable connection to the machine with a dirt suction duct, wherein an inlet of said suction duct can be opened and closed by way of a passage flow control flap.

2. The tool according to

claim 1

, wherein said flap can slide in a seat of said box-like body between a position in which it closes transversely said inlet of the suction duct and a position in which it completely clears said inlet.

3. The tool according to

claim 1

, wherein said roller has a pivot-like mating end which can be inserted and removed from a complementarily shaped seat of a driven pulley which is rotatably coupled to said body, said roller being fully removable by way of an axial translation movement after extracting a partition which is inserted in guides in the opposite part of said body and includes another recess for another pivot-like end of said roller.